Video wall framing system

ABSTRACT

A video display screen is held by an elongated holding bracket that has a inwardly extending flange at a distal end of the bracket. The flange fits into a groove extending along the edges of the screen to hold the screen. The bracket is fastened to a support structure. The interior surface of the bracket is advantageously inclined at an angle so the interior surface does not block the light from the projected image, and also has a plurality of grooves to reflect any light incident on the surface away from the screen. In further embodiments, the flange comprises a removable channel section that extends on opposing sides of the screen to hold the screen, with the channel being held against the bracket by a leaf spring.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/902,386filed Jul. 29, 1997, which is a continuation of Provisional Application,Serial No. 60/022,768 filed Jul. 30, 1996.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to video walls and, moreparticularly, is concerned with a method and apparatus for supportingand connecting the individual screen panels comprising a multiple screenpanel video display wall.

In recent years, there has been an increase in the overall dimensions oflarge screen video walls. Large video walls are often designed forinformation display purposes, including command and control centers,sports venues, and the entertainment industry. The video wall iscommonly comprised of several smaller rear projection screen panels.Each panel of the video wall then receives a portion of the overallpicture resulting in an enlarged total image.

The screen panels are combined in any gridded configuration. Typically,the screens are held in place by integral frame members which mustsupport the weight of each screen to prevent warpage of the lowerscreens. Because the integral frame members are usually supported ontheir ends, the integral frame members are relatively wide to preventbowing and sagging in the span. The width creates a relatively largeline or grid pattern in the overall video presentation. In the past, ametal framework provided the necessary support to the panels. Eachscreen panel edge was held by individual metal components that createdan opaque border around the periphery of the screen panel.

While this support system was used extensively in the past, it hasserious drawbacks. Due to the need to support each screen individually,the screen was supported by a bracketing system. The bracketing systemwas made of a non-translucent material, such as metal or wood, and, as aresult, it obstructed the path of light between the projector and thescreen surface. The bracketing system also allowed the reflection ofstray light into the screen display area since the bracketing system wasnot capable of diffusing light. In addition, in order to hold eachscreen panel, a support member attached to the front of the screen. Thesupport members created a grid-like formation over the viewing surface.

Consequently, a need exists for improvements in the framing system forvideo walls which will reduce the grid-like formation over the viewingscreen while supporting each individual panel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The current invention makes possible the creation of a video wallsupport system resulting in optimal continuity of the viewing surfacefrom screen panel to screen panel. Due to an innovative means ofgripping and enclosing the edges of the individual panels, the presentinvention obscures less than 2-3 mm of the screen panel along each paneledge, and in some embodiments can eliminate all obstructions. Inaddition, exposed supports in the form of c-clips, are molded of clearplastic which creates a less obtrusive joint compared to the opaqueprior art joints. The supporting bracket for the joint is tapered fromthe end attached to the supporting frame to the narrower end nearest tothe video screen panel. The tapering allows the light from the projectorto strike the screen unimpeded. This also substantially lessens the deadspace between the individual projected images on each screen.

Accordingly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus forsupporting individual video screen panels while creating an enlargedoverall video presentation with minimal obstruction. Each video panel isframed by a small, clear plastic, c-shaped clip. In an alternativeembodiment, each panel is notched and held to a supporting bracket by athin piece of mylar tape.

The c-clips snap into an extruded black-anodized aluminum supportingbracket. The supporting bracket is tapered, increasing in thickness fromthe c-clip end backwards toward the end attached to the supportstructure.

In further embodiments, the screen panel has a groove around itsperiphery with a notched interior surface, so that a bracket with aflange directed parallel to the surface of the screen panel can form atongue-in-groove connection with the grooves. This connection provides alow-profile connection that reduces blockage of the light from theprojection, and thus reduces or eliminates the light obstruction. Theinterior surface of the brackets on which the flange is formed areadvantageously grooved so that any incident light is not reflected ontothe screen panel.

The supporting bracket utilizes a flange to attach to the wood or metalsupport structure. In addition, the extrusion is shaped to diffuse anystray light present to avoid reflections into the display area. Theresult is a support system which supports each individual panel withmembers that do not interfere with the light path. Also, the supportsystem provides a very small non-imaged space between video screenpanels. The present invention thereby creates a more efficient structureand a more continuous overall image.

The extrusion of this invention comprises an elongated holding brackethaving a substantially uniform cross-sectional shape along substantiallythe entire length of the bracket. The cross-sectional shape has athicker first end and a smaller second end connected by an interior andexterior sides that generally converge at an angle of about θ or less,where θ is the angle at which the image is projected onto the screen.The cross-sectional shape has a mounting surface for connecting thebracket to a support structure. The second end has a flange that extendsinward a distance selected to minimize blockage of the projected image,and advantageously extends inward a distance selected to completelyavoid blocking the image projected on the screen. Advantageously, theextrusion has an aperture sized to receive a threaded fastener withthreads having a pitch, where the aperture includes at least one of anelongated slot in the interior surface extending the length of thebracket and having opposing walls that contain a plurality of groovesspaced apart by the pitch, or a hollow aperture extending the length ofthe bracket sized to engage the threaded fastener.

In use, the extruded bracket cooperates with a screen having a pluralityof edges with a groove extending along the length of each edge. Thescreen also has an interior side facing the projector with a notchedportion along the length of the grooved edges. The notch and groovecooperate with the flange on the extrusion to form a tongue-in-grooveconnection to hold the grooved edges of the screen.

In a further embodiment, there is provided an apparatus for holding avideo display screen onto which an image is projected by a projector,where the screen having a plurality of edges. The apparatus includes aplurality of elongated holding brackets having a substantially uniformcross-sectional shape with a thicker first end and a smaller second end.At least some of the brackets have a mounting surface for connecting toa support structure. The cross-sectional shape has an exterior side andan interior side that converge at an angle selected to reduce, andpreferably to avoid blocking the image from the projector. Fasteningmeans connect to the second end to engage an adjacent edge of thescreen, with the brackets being placed on a plurality of the pluralityof edges of the screen to hold the screen in position. The fasteningmeans can comprise means for engaging grooves in a plurality of edges ofthe screen to hold the grooved edges of the screen.

In a further embodiment the bracket has a distal end configured to holdan adjacent edge of the screen from movement in at least one direction,where brackets are placed around the periphery of the screen to hold thescreen in position. The distal end in one embodiment extendssubstantially parallel to one side of the bracket and cooperates with anotch in the adjacent edge of the screen to hold the screen. In afurther embodiment, the distal end comprises at least one flangeextending inward to hold the screen with the inwardly extendingdimension of the flange being selected to reduce, and moreadvantageously to minimize blocking the image projected on the screen,and advantageously to avoid blockage entirely. In yet another embodimentthe distal end comprises a pair of flanges on opposing sides of thescreen to hold the screen between the flanges. In yet another embodimentthe distal end comprises a flange extending inward to hold the screen,where the flange cooperates with a groove in the adjacent edge of thescreen to form a tongue-in-groove connection with the screen.

There is also provided a method of holding a display screen onto whichan image is projected from a light source. That method includes the stepof placing a notch along an edge of the screen and forming a groove inthe edge of the screen at the end of the notch that is interior to thescreen. A support bracket is formed with a distal end that has a flangethereon extending inward and configured to engage the notch and groove,with the flange being placed into the notch and groove. The bracket isfastened to a support structure. Advantageously, the depth of the grooveis selected so that it blocks or distorts a minimal amount of the lightfrom the projector, and advantageously the depth is selected so it doesnot block light from the image projected onto the screen. Further, aninterior surface on the bracket is formed so it is inclined at an angleof about θ or smaller so the interior surface does not block the lightfrom the projected image.

The method also includes forming a plurality of grooves on the interiorsurface to reflect any light incident on the surface away from thescreen. In further embodiments, the notch may be removed, with thedistal end of the bracket having a flange thereon extending inward andconfigured to engage the groove by placing the flange into the groove tohold the screen. Advantageously, there is a groove in each edge of eachside of the screen, and a corresponding bracket and flange engaging eachgroove, the brackets being joined to form a frame around the screen,each of the brackets being fastened to an adjacent support structure.

There is also provided a method of making a holder for a display screenonto which an image is projected from a light source that divergestoward the screen. This method includes the steps of extruding anelongated bracket having an interior surface and an exterior surfaceorientated at an angle to each other that is selected to reduce blockageof the light from the projected image, and is advantageously selected toavoid such blockage. A support mounting portion is formed to connect thebracket to a structural support. A distal portion of the first end isextruded to form a flange configured to engage an aperture in the edgeof the screen to hold the screen.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be better understood from the detaileddescription which is given below, taken in conjunction with the drawings(like reference characters or numbers refer to like parts throughout thedescription), and in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an illustrative support system assembly;

FIG. 1a is a view of cross-section A--A of the support system assembly;

FIGS. 2 and 2A are isometric views of the video screen panel, c-clip andsupporting bracket with a spring leaf attached;

FIG. 3 is a view of cross-section B--B of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded isometric view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross-section of a bayonet support method and apparatus;

FIG. 6 is a cross-section of a further embodiment of this invention; and

FIG. 7 an enlarged exploded segment of a portion of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a cross-section of a further embodiment of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 1 and 1a show a video screen mounting system 10. The video screenmounting system includes video screen panel 12, c-clip 14, leaf spring15, supporting bracket 16 and conventional support structure 18. Theconventional support structure comprises the projector shelving and tiesto the video screen panel supporting brackets 16.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, each edge of a screen panel 12 is held by ac-clip 14. The c-clip 14 fits over each of the four edges of the screenpanel 12 to create a frame-like structure as shown in FIG. 1. The c-clip14 is an extrusion preferably made of a clear plastic material.Preferably, the c-clip 14 extends along the entire periphery of eachpanel 12. The length of the c-clip 14 is, therefore, about the samelength as the edge of the video screen panel 12 which is beingsupported.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the c-clip 14 is comprised of a c-shapedchannel 22 with opposing flanges or legs 23, 24 (FIG. 3). The c-clip 14is attached on one leg 24 to a c-clip flange 26. The distal flange orleg 23 extends inward so the edge of screen panel 12 is held betweenflanges or legs 23, 24. The c-clip flange 26 is offset from the c-shapedchannel 22 such that the base surface 59 of the supporting bracket 16 isflush with the bottom of the exterior or outside surface of the c-shapedchannel 22 upon assembly (FIG. 3). As used herein, the inside orinterior refers to the portion of the bracket 16 that faces the incidentlight 17 and that encloses the screen panel 12. The outside or exteriorrefers to the portion of the bracket 17 that faces away from theincident light 17, or that is outside the screen panel 12. The insidedimension of the c-shaped channel 22 is about the same as the thicknessof the video screen panel 12. In the embodiment, the inside dimension ofthe c-shaped channel 22 is about 0.1875 inch (4.8 mm). The c-clip flange26 is preferably about 1.5 inches wide and about 0.0625 inch thick. Theend of the c-clip flange 26 opposite the c-shaped channel 22 has atapered lip 28 ending in an engaging portion such as interior ridge 30.The thickness of the c-clip flange 26 at the ridge 30 is preferablyabout 0.1875 inch and tapers to a point at the end of the c-clip flange26 opposite channel 22.

Due to the clear plastic construction, the c-clip 14 reducesinterference with the projection of light 17 from a projector. The clearplastic construction also helps to reduce the grid-line support inherentin the prior art.

Referring to FIGS. 2-4, the leaf spring 15 is made of a resilient yetstiff material, preferably spring steel coated with a textured, blackpowder-coated material. Leaf spring 15 is preferably about 1.25 incheswide and about 2.4 inches long, and made of 16 gauge steel. A pluralityof threaded fasteners 32, preferably two, hold each leaf spring 15 inplace on the supporting bracket 16. The plurality of threaded fasteners32 run through a corresponding plurality of holes 34 in the leaf spring15 and attach to the support bracket 16 in a ribbed slot 36 (furtherdiscussed below). The distal end of the leaf spring 15 is bent atsubstantially a right angle providing a short leg 38 which is used tosnap over the and engage the engaging portion or ridge 30 of the c-clip14. The short leg 38 is about 0.125 inch long in the preferredembodiment, but can vary depending on the design of c-clip 14 and itsridge 30.

The supporting bracket 16 is made of a light yet rigid material,preferably of extruded aluminum that is black anodized to reducereflectance of light 17. The length of the supporting bracket 16 isdetermined by the edge dimensions of the video screen panel 12 which itencloses and supports. The supporting bracket 16 is substantiallywedge-like in cross-sectional shape or generally triangular, resemblinga right triangle with the sloping face 46 forming the hypotenuse of thetriangle. The wedge-like shape results in a short side 44, a longer basesurface 59 and a sloping face 46. In addition, the supporting brackethas flanges which protrude from opposing ends, both of which arediscussed in detail below. The angle between the sloping face 46 and thebase surface 59 is about 10° for the depicted embodiment. The light 17projected by the projector, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 1a, commonly has anangle θ of about 10° or greater. The precise angle will vary in order toprovide support while avoiding projected light 17 striking the bracket16. Thus, the angle of convergence between the faces 46 and base 59 isabout θ or less. The short side 44 and the base surface 59 aresubstantially flat. The sloping face 46 of the supporting bracket 16 hasa grooved surface. The grooves are preferably 0.03125 inch deep and0.0625 inch peak-to-peak and run the length of any particular supportingbracket. The grooves are preferably uniformly spaced.

Through the uniform grooves on the sloping face 46 of the supportingbracket 16 and the textured black powder coating on the leaf spring 15,any incident projected light 17 is diffused instead of reflected. Whilethe difference in the slopes of the supporting bracket 16 and the lightpath 17 allows for a video screen mounting system which does notinterfere with the path of projection, the overall structural designalso provides a baffling effect between the individual video screenpanels 12. The baffle eliminates any image overlap. The integration ofthe baffle and the angular design of the support structure results in amore efficient framing structure which both separates and supports theindividual video screen panels.

The supporting bracket 16 has two circular grooves 50 which run thelength of the supporting bracket. The two circular grooves 50 can belocated as needed in the supporting bracket 16, but they are preferablylocated at opposing ends of the extrusion cross-section. As illustrated,the first circular groove 50 is located in the corner formed by theshort side 44 and the base surface 59 of the supporting bracket 16. Thesecond circular groove 50 is located near the point of intersection ofthe sloping face 46 and the base surface 59 of the supporting bracket16. The circular grooves provide a receptor for self-tapping threadedfasteners (not shown). The threaded fasteners are used to attach fourindividual supporting brackets together to form a frame enclosing andsupporting screen 12 as shown in FIG. 1. Preferably, the ends of thesupporting brackets are miter cut to form the corners of the frame;however, other suitable means of forming a corner may be used.

To aid in the formation of a frame of supporting brackets 16, thecenterlines of the circular grooves 50 are marked or otherwise indicatedon the exterior surface of the supporting bracket 16. In the preferredembodiment, centerline grooves 60 are formed on the base surface 59, byscoring, or forming a slight indentation or groove in the extrudedsupporting bracket 16 corresponding to the location of the circulargrooves 50. The centerline grooves 70 advantageously extend the lengthof supporting bracket 16.

The supporting bracket 16 also has a ribbed slot 36 of a sizecorresponding to that of threaded fastener 32. The ribbed slot 36 islocated on the sloping face 46 preferably about 2 inches down the faceof the slope from the short side 44 of the supporting bracket 16. Theribbed slot 36 runs the length of any particular supporting bracket 16,and is advantageously extruded with bracket 16. The ribbed slot 36contains a plurality of ridges or ribs that advantageously correspond tothe number of threads on fastener 32, to engage fastener 32.

The ribbed slot 36 is located relative to the leaf spring 15 so that theshort leg 38 of the leaf spring 15 will properly attach to the engagingportion or ridge 30 of the c-clip 14. The leaf spring 15 is attachedwith threaded fasteners 32, thus the ribbed slot replaces pre-drilledholes. The slot 36 allows for two threaded fasteners 32 to attach theleaf spring 15 to the supporting bracket 16 at any position along itslength. For the illustrated embodiment, the leaf spring 15 is attachedto the supporting bracket 16 about every six inches, but the spacing canvary with the particular structural design and needs.

To reduce unnecessary material and weight, a cut-out or hollow portion54 exists in the middle section of the extrusion creating an overallshape of a hollow wedge. The cut-out 54 results in a wall thickness ofabout 0.125 inch throughout the main body of the supporting bracket. Thecut-out 54 runs the length of any particular supporting bracket. Thewall thickness can vary to meet structural needs.

An attachment flange 42 extends from the short side 44 of the supportingbracket 16 in a plane parallel to the base surface 59. Flange 42 isabout 0.125 inch thick and located about 0.5 inch from the base surface59, but the particular size and location can be varied as needed. Theattachment flange 42 has a shallow indicator groove 58 (FIG. 2) locatedon both sides of the attachment flange 42. Indicator groove 58 runs thelength of bracket 16 and preferably divides the surface of theattachment flange 42 into two substantially equal portions. Theindicator groove 58 aids assembly of the support bracket 16 to theconventional support structure 16 by indicating the center of theattachment flange 42.

The attachment flange 42 is provided to attach the supporting bracket 16to a support structure 18 (FIG. 1). The support structure 18 istypically a wood or metal frame which holds the projectors and the videoscreen and maintains the appropriate distance between the video screenand the projectors. As a result of the attachment flange 42 extendingthe full length of the supporting bracket 16, the frame 18 mayadvantageously be supported along its entire span and not just at theends or intersections of each panel 12.

A c-clip support flange 40 extends in a plane parallel to the basesurface 59 from the point of the wedge-shaped bracket 16 opposite of theshort side 44 of the bracket 16. Preferably, the c-clip support flange40 is an extension of the base surface 59 and extruded as part ofbracket 16. The support flange 40 provides a supporting surface for theattachment of the c-clip 14. The flange 40 tapers such that it isnarrowest at its distal end. The width of the c-clip supporting flange40 is determined in part by the width of the c-clip flange 26, but isabout 1.5625 inches in the illustrated embodiment.

When combined with the features of the supporting bracket 16, includingthe c-clip support flange, the leaf spring 15 holds the c-clip 14 inplace. The ridge 30 of the c-clip 14 provides a snap fit when assemblingthe c-clip 14 to the supporting bracket 16 through the use of the leafspring 15 and c-clip support flange 40, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Thestructural elements of the c-clip 14 and the leaf spring 15 allow thescreen to be snapped into place from the front of the completed frame ofsupporting brackets 16. The supporting brackets 16, when snappedtogether with the c-clips 14, create a complete frame-like structurearound each individual video screen panel 12. Having created a frame,the individually framed video screen panels 12 may be placed together ina grid formation. Pairs of supporting brackets 16 are placed togethersuch that the base surfaces 59 are in contact as shown in FIG. 1a. Thegrid formation creates the overall video screen presentation shown inFIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 5, an alternate means of attachment is shown. In thealternate embodiment. the supporting bracket 16 holds the video screenpanel 12 in a bayonet manner. The video screen panel 12 is slightlynotched on the edges which creates a flush surface with the base surface59 of the supporting bracket 16 when the c-clip support flange 40 isplaced against the notched edge. The c-clip support flanges 40 of foursupporting brackets 16, without clear plastic extrusions such as thec-clips 14, support the video screen panels 12 and eliminate the needfor the c-clips 14 through the use of mylar tape 41. Adhesive material,such as mylar tape 41 or other suitable adhesive means is then placedalong the edge such that it will not appear on the front of the videoscreen surface. The mylar tape 41 is used to directly adhere the videoscreen panel 12 to the c-clip support flange 40 of supporting bracket16. The mylar tape 41 is preferably placed around the entire peripherybut at least as needed for support. The frame structure created by thefour surrounding supporting brackets 16 can then be placed into a gridformation as discussed above. The bayonet method allows for support ofeach video screen panel without any grid pattern on the surface of thevideo screen. Consequently, the bayonet method advantageously provides asubstantially continual viewing surface from panel to panel.

Referring to FIG. 6, a further embodiment of this invention is describedin which like numbers refer to like parts as previously described. Inthis embodiment the support bracket 16 has a plurality of grooves 70that extend along substantially the entire length of the inside surfaceof the bracket 16 that is potentially exposed to incident light 17 fromthe projector. The flat base surface 59 has an interior surface on theend adjacent the screen panel 12 that is tapered to form a taperedsupport on 72. Grooves 70 are formed along the length of the interiorsurface of end 72. The grooves 70 advantageously subtend an arc α ofabout 80°, and are black anodized to further inhibit reflection of light17 from the image projector onto the screen 12. The grooves 70 extend tothe almost the distal end of bracket 16 and end 72.

The support end 72 forms a tongue-in-groove connection with the edge ofscreen panel 12. Thus, the distal portion of end 72 has a flat stripalong the length of the bracket 16 of sufficient size to accommodate amating notch or ridge 82 of screen panel 12. At the distal end ofbracket 16 and end 72 is a ridge, flange or tongue 76 which extendsgenerally perpendicular to the end 72, along the plane of screen panel12. The flange or tongue 76 extends into a groove 80 formed in the edgeof screen panel 12. The groove 80 advantageously extends along thelength of one edge of screen panel 12, as opposed to extending throughthe thickness of the panel 12. Advantageously the groove is formed ineach edge of the screen panel 12 to extend around the periphery of thescreen panel 12. The flange or tongue 76 engages the groove 80 to form atongue-in-groove connection with the screen panel 12. Advantageously,the groove 80 is located as close to the interior edge of screen panel12 as possible while providing sufficient strength to hold the panel 12.By placing the groove 80 toward the interior edge of the panel 12, thereis less blockage of the image viewable on the exterior of the screenpanel 12. Thus, a notch is formed along the edge, leaving a ridge 78that extends along the side of flange or tongue 76. The ridge 78advantageously ends flush with the exterior surface of bracket 16. Ifdesired, a strip of adhesive tape (not shown) can extend over the ridge78 and a portion of end 72 to further strengthen the connection of thescreen panel 12 to the bracket 16. Further, the length of the tongue 76is advantageously outside the illumination of the projector, so that thetongue 76 does not block any light 17. In some cases it may be necessaryto block some small portion of the light 17, but such blockage may beminimized by correct selection of tongue 76.

The bracket 16 is advantageously extruded to form a single pieceextrusion that can be cut to various lengths that correspond to thelength of the sides of the screen panel 12. Advantageously, the bracket16 is slightly curved along its length to have a slight camber to urgetongue 76 toward the screen panel 12 at the center of the bracket 16 inorder to ensure engagement between the tongue 76 and groove 80. Becausethe center of the bracket 16 extends more toward the adjacent groove 80in the edge of panel 12, and because the sides of the panel 12 aretypically straight, when installed the bracket 16 will be resilientlydeformed to a more straight position. This causes the middle of thebracket 16 to be spring loaded and resiliently urged toward the panel12. Specifically, tongue 76 is resiliently urged into the groove 80.This resilient engagement ensures the panel 12 is held securely bybracket 16.

A curve or camber of about 3700 inches radius, or about 300 feet radius,radius (visually indistinguishable from FIG. 2A), is believed suitable.The 300 foot radius camber is large relative to the length of the sidesof the screen panel 12 held by bracket 16. The camber is advantageouslyat least 10 times greater than the length of bracket 16 along a side ofthe panel 12, and may be 30-80 times greater. This camber is preferablyachieved by bending the extruded bracket 16 before heat treatment. Thecamber could be added after beat treatment but the material is thenharder and more energy is required to form the bracket 16. To allow thisextrusion while providing suitably hard material for the bracket 16, a6063T6 aluminum can be used.

When installed, the corners of the bracket 16 may be mitered to form aflush connection surrounding the four sides of screen panel 12. Thetongue 76 cooperates with the groove 80 and notches 82, 78 around theperiphery of the screen panel 12 in order to restrain movement of thescreen panel 12 along the length of the bracket 16, or in a directionperpendicular to the screen panel 12. The end 72 inhibits movement ofthe screen panel 12 in a direction perpendicular to the end 72, whichdirection, lies in the plane of screen panel 12. Because the brackets 16are on four sides of the screen panel 12, the ends 72 restrain movementin the plane of the screen panel 12.

For a screen panel 12 that is about 1/4 inch thick, the length of tongue76 can be as little as about 1/32 inch. The tongue 76 allows imagesprojected on the screen panel 12 to effectively have no border if thescreen 12 is thick enough or if the screen 12 is a diffusion screen. Forthinner screens or fresnel screens, a slight border on the order ofabout 1/8 inch may appear. Because the screen panels 12 can be six toten feet diagonally, the distracting effect of such a slight border isgreatly reduced.

The screen panels 12 are held by c-clips 14, ends 40 or flanges 76 thatare a small fraction of the screen size, which can be from 6-10 feetdiagonally. For example, the legs 23, 24 of c-clips 14 are about 0.125inches long, while the flange or tongue 76 is about 1/32 inch long(0.03125"). The c-clips 14 or flanges 76 are also small relative to thethickness of the screens 12, which can be from about 0.25 inches thickon up for larger screens 12. Indeed, the tongue-in-groove connectionuses a flange that is about 1/4 or less the thickness of screen 12, andpreferably less than 1/16 the thickness of screen 12. The c-clips 14 orflanges 76 are also less than half the thickness of the wedge-shapedbracket 16, as the thickness of the bracket at the short side 44 is muchmore than twice the length of flange 76 or clip 14. Advantageously, thedimensions of the inwardly extending portions of the flanges 23, 24, 76are also selected to reduce blockage of the image projected on thescreen panel 12, and advantageously are selected to minimize suchblockage, and more advantageously are selected to avoid such blockage.

There is thus provided an apparatus and method for holding a displayscreen onto which an image is projected from a light source thatdiverges toward the screen 12 at an angle of θ. This is achieved byplacing a notch 82 along an edge of the screen 12 and forming a groove80 in the edge of the screen at the end of the notch that is interior tothe screen. A support bracket 16 is formed to have a first end and alsoa distal end that has a flange 76 thereon sized to engage the notch 82and groove 80 when flange is placed in contact with the notch andgroove. The bracket 16 is then fastened to a support structure 18. It ispossible that the notch 82 can be eliminated, and the flange 76 justengage the groove 80.

Advantageously, the depth of the groove 80 is selected so that it doesnot block light from the image projected onto the screen 12. It may benecessary to have the groove 80 deep enough that it distorts or blockssome portion of the image projected onto screen 12, but his blockage ordistortion can be minimized by proper selection of the depth of groove80. While the flange 76 and bracket 16 are advantageously of metal, itis believed possible that the flange 76 could be made of clear plasticto further lessen the blockage of light onto the screen 12. The interiorsurface on the bracket 16 is advantageously inclined at an angle ofabout θ or smaller so the interior surface does not block the light fromthe projected image.

The bracket 16 of this embodiment no longer has the leaf springs 15(FIG. 8) and thus does not necessarily need the grooved slot 36 thataccommodated screws 32 to hold the springs 15. But the grooved slot 36can also be used to hold screws that fasten "L" shaped corner supportbracket to form a mitered corner where each leg of the bracket isfastened to an adjacent, but different bracket 16, with screws extendinginto the grooved slots 36 of those different brackets 16.

Referring to FIG. 8, yet another embodiment is shown in which the distalend of bracket 16' terminates in a "T" section comprising opposingflanges 76. The brackets 16 typically abut each other at the interior ofthe screen display as shown in FIG. 1a, with the brackets 16 beingplaced so the respective base surfaces 59 of each bracket 16 areabutting each other, or back-to-back. The embodiment of FIG. 8 combinestwo brackets 16 into a single bracket 16' that is symmetric about alongitudinal plane through the length of the bracket 16'. Similarbrackets 16 may be formed by combining the configurations shown in FIGS.3 and 5.

The foregoing description of the present invention is explanatorythereof and various changes in the size, or shape, as well as on thedetails of the illustrated construction may be made within the scope ofthe appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments as well asalternative applications of the invention will be suggested to personsskilled in the art by the foregoing specification and illustrations. Itis therefore contemplated that the appended claims will cover suchmodifications, applications or embodiments as fall within the true scopeof the invention.

I claim:
 1. An apparatus for holding a video display screen thatprojects an image on to the screen at an angle of about θ, the screenhaving a groove in a plurality of edges of the screen, comprising:anelongated holding bracket having a substantially uniform cross-sectionalshape along substantially the entire length of the bracket, thecross-sectional shape having a thicker first end and a smaller secondend to form a generally triangular closed shape having three sides andfurther having a mounting surface for connecting the bracket to asupport structure, the cross-sectional shape having an exterior side andan interior side with the interior side being inclined at an angle θ ofabout ten degrees or less, the second end terminating in a supportflange extending from the second end away from the first end, the firstend having a c-clip cooperating with said groove in said screen to holdthe screen during use of the bracket, the bracket's length beingsubstantially greater than its width with the width being measuredbetween the first and second ends, the c-clip having an interior surfaceand an exterior surface, the clip having a distal end extending beyondthe second end of the bracket, the distal end of the clip havingopposing legs extending from the interior surface, the flange extendinga distance selected to reduce blockage of the image projected on thescreen when the bracket is fastened to the screen, the legs being spacedapart to receive and hold the screen when the bracket is fastened to thescreen, the clip being fastened to the interior of the bracket.
 2. Anapparatus for holding a video display screen onto which an image isprojected by a projector, the apparatus being in combination with thescreen, comprising:a video display screen having a plurality of edges;at least two elongated holding brackets each of which extends along andis fastened to a different one of the plurality of edges, each of thebrackets having a cross-sectional shape with a thicker first end and asmaller second end along a width of the brackets that converge at anangle selected to avoid blocking the image from the projector during useof the display screen and with the second end closer to the screen thanthe first end, the brackets having an anti-reflective surface on aninterior surface of the bracket to avoid reflection onto the screen, thebrackets having a mounting surface for connecting to a support structurewhen in use, each of the brackets having a center that is slightly benttoward the screen relative to ends of the bracket, and a c-clip havingan interior surface and an exterior surface, the clip having a distalend extending beyond the second end of the bracket, the distal end ofthe clip having opposing legs that are spaced apart a distancesufficient to receive and hold the screen with the legs extending towardthe screen a distance less than the distance by which the legs arespaced apart.
 3. An apparatus for holding a video display screen havinga plurality of edges and defining a periphery, the image being projectedon to the screen at an angle, comprising:a plurality of elongatedholding brackets having a substantially uniform cross-sectional shapethat has a thicker first end and a smaller second end to form agenerally triangular closed shaped having three sides and convergingtoward the second end, at least some of the brackets further having amounting surface for connecting to a support structure, thecross-sectional shape having an exterior side and an interior side withthe interior side being inclined at an angle selected to avoid blockingthe projected image, each bracket having a distal end at the second endadapted to hold an adjacent edge of the screen from movement in at leastone direction when the bracket is connected to the screen, the bracketsbeing configured to be placed around the periphery of the screen to holdthe screen in position during use of the brackets, and wherein thedistal end comprises a pair of flanges configured to be placed onopposing sides of the screen to hold the screen between the flangesduring use of the brackets, the flanges being spaced apart a distanceselected to correspond to a thickness of the screen and one of theflanges extending a distance less than the thickness of the screen. 4.An apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein the interior side has ananti-reflective surface to reduce the reflection of light on the screenduring use of the bracket.
 5. An apparatus as defined in claim 3,wherein the brackets cooperate with the edges of the screen to hold thescreen.